Deferred sentence for accused rapist

Initially charged with rape and sexual assault, a Kalispell man has received a six-year deferred sentence after he pleaded down to an amended charge of criminal endangerment.

In accordance with a plea agreement with the state, 18-year-old Cole Anderson pleaded guilty to the amended felony charge and was sentenced on April 12 by Judge Heidi Ulbricht in Flathead District Court.

According to court records, Anderson’s original rape and assault charges stemmed from allegations made by his victim who claimed Anderson raped and violated her repeatedly over a period of about four years, beginning when she was in fifth grade and escalating in violence over time.

The victim claimed in court documents that her last interaction with Anderson occurred when he entered a bedroom, held her down, pulled off her clothes, punched her in the stomach and raped her.

Both the defendant and victim were minors at the time of the alleged attacks.

The deferred sentence will allow Anderson to remain in the community on probation for the next six years with any violations resulting in possible revocation and prison time.

Anderson will be allowed to have a cellphone, will be restricted in his contact with girls under the age of 16 and will not be required to register as a sex offender because of the amended charge.

The court will mandate Anderson’s completion of phases one and two of sex offender treatment, and he will be subject to evaluations every six months until he turns 21. He was also restricted from any contact with the victim.

Had Anderson been convicted of rape and/or sexual assault, he could have faced up to life in prison.